WMSE’s Big Band Grandstand Silent Auction and Gala Once Again Welcomes Sweden’s Queen of Swing, Gunhild Carling

MILWAUKEE – October 22, 2024 – WMSE 91.7FM Radio is excited to announce the return of Gunhild Carling, Sweden’s Queen of Swing, for the 10th Annual Big Band Grandstand Gala. This beloved holiday tradition will be held at Turner Hall Ballroom on Sunday, December 8, at 4 p.m.

Presented annually by Bob and Jenny Hillis in honor of Bob and Genie Friedman, the Big Band Grandstand is a family-friendly event celebrating the swing era of the 1930s and ’40s. Gunhild Carling, a true multi-instrumentalist virtuoso, will headline this milestone performance, captivating the audience with her exceptional mastery of the trombone, bagpipes, trumpet, recorder, and various string instruments.

“The Big Band Grandstand is a cornerstone of the holiday season in Milwaukee, and we are thrilled to welcome Gunhild Carling back to the stage for this special 10th edition,” says WMSE Station Manager Tom Crawford. “Her energetic and versatile performances never fail to dazzle, and we can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction as she once again brings the spirit of swing to life.”

The evening will begin with a special DJ set by WMSE’s own Dewey Gill, renowned for curating the station’s jazz and big band programming. Carling and her big band will treat the audience to a performance filled with seamless transitions between instruments, vocals, and tap dancing.

This year, the Big Band Grandstand will feature a Silent Auction with a variety of unique items and experiences, such as:

• Green Bay Packers Tickets courtesy of TicketKing
• A Film Buff package from Milwaukee Film valued at $1,500, including festival passes
• A chance to be a WMSE DJ for a day
• A gift card tree with vouchers to popular local restaurants and businesses

New seating options have been introduced to celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary. Guests can now purchase reserved four-top tables for guaranteed seating or opt for general admission tickets at a lower price.

Proceeds from the Big Band Grandstand support WMSE’s studio operations, digitization of the station’s extensive jazz library, and the 24/7 broadcasting of the WMSE Live Jazz stream.

Tickets are available at wmse.org/bigbandgrandstand

WMSE’s Big Band Grandstand is made possible through the generous support of Direct Supply, Locker’s Florist, Beans & Barley, Melt Chocolates, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe, MSOE, and Great Lakes Distillery.

About WMSE
“Anti-established” in 1981, WMSE 91.7 FM – Frontier Radio has grown into Milwaukee’s truest and longest-standing music radio institution. A financially independent department of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), WMSE – with a 24-hour free-form format representing every musical genre – has been primarily funded by listening supporters and community partners since 1997. The station’s vision is to educate the listening community by providing a wide selection of musical programming not heard anywhere else in the market. WMSE is Milwaukee’s champion for the city’s diverse community of musicians and artists. For more information, visit www.wmse.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.